Letter 261

Date	by June 1872
Addressed to	Ivan Klimenko
Where written	Moscow
Language	Russian
Autograph Location	unknown
Publication	Мои воспоминания о Петре Ильиче Чайковском (1908), p. 65 П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений, том V (1959), p. 278–279 П. И. Чайковский. Забытое и новое (1995), p. 86
Notes	Manuscript copy in Klin (Russia): Tchaikovsky State Memorial Musical Museum-Reserve Includes a short humorous verse: As Soon as the Game is Over (TH 378)

Text and Translation

Based on a handwritten copy in the Tchaikovsky State Memorial Musical Museum-Reserve at Klin, which may contain differences in formatting and content from Tchaikovsky's original letter.

Russian text (original)

English translation By Brett Langston

Мы хотим сегодня вечером поиграть с Кашкиным в 4 руки, но под непременным условием, чтоб и ты был. Отвечай немедленно, можешь ли быть и как рано. Я полагаю часов в 8. Игра будет у меня. Как только кончится игра, Подастся свежая икра, А к ней очищенная водка И даже (может быть) селёдка. Пётр Великий

We want to play 4 hands with Kashkin this evening, but under the strict condition that yoy are there too. Reply immediately if you can come and how early. I think it will be at 8. The game will be at mine. As soon as the game is over, Fresh caviar will be served, And with it the most refined vodka, And (perhaps) even herring too. Peter the Great